Implication algebras and the Metropolis-Rota axioms for cubic lattices (Q1346091)

Finite Boolean lattices are exactly the face lattices of \(n\)-simplices in \(n\)-dimensional Euclidean spaces. Since for \(n\geq 5\) all regular solids are either simplices or cubes or hyperoctahedra -- the latter two giving rise to dual face lattices -- it is an intriguing task to characterize finite cubic (face) lattices internally, too. This task has been solved by \textit{N. Metropolis} and \textit{G.-C. Rota} [SIAM J. Appl. Math. 35, 689- 694 (1978; Zbl 0402.05010)]. Their characterization of finite cubic lattices is given in terms of the mappings \(\Delta_ x\) defined on \([0, x]\), where \(\Delta_ x (y)\) is the antipodal face of \(y\) within the face \(x\). Dropping restrictions of cardinality, the authors of the paper under review show that if \(L\) is any not necessarily finite lattice, with 0 and 1, which is equipped with mappings \(\Delta_ x\) for any \(x\in L\), satisfying the axioms of Metropolis-Rota, and which furthermore is complete, atomistic, and coatomistic, then it is isomorphic to a possibly infinite cubic lattice (= lattice of pairs of disjoint subsets of some set \(S\)). Their proof makes use of the theory of implication algebras [cf. \textit{J. C. Abbott}: Sets, lattices, and Boolean algebras (1969; Zbl 0222.06001)].